The enemies deep within

ICAN bear the imputation that we are a politically divided nation and that we have become a more bitterly polarized country after the EDSA Revolution of 1986, with the two major opposing political forces right now being the “Dilawans” and the “Duterte Diehard Supporters.”

Some cunning political strategists know this only too well. They cleverly harped a sensitive chord in every Filipino heart that yearns for unity. That for the sake of this nation, it is time to heal, bury the hatchet, forget the wrongs of the past and start anew. Thus, for the first time in Philippine politics, we elected a president and vice president under a single political ticket: UniTeam. Under this ticket, they won the national election by an avalanche of votes.

But the euphoria of the Marcos spell and the Duterte magic that forged this formidable tandem soon proved fleeting. For many reasons and despite reassuring words to the contrary, the political cracks cannot be denied. And the proverbial straw that is likely to break the camel’s back is the “gentleman’s agreement” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping that “horrified” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. With the brewing conflict in the West Philippine Sea, the issue between the country’s current leader and his predecessor can be summarized by their foreign policies: Duterte is a confessed pro-China man while Marcos is perceived by many to be pro-America.

Marcos faces enormous domestic and geopolitical challenges as he reverses Duterte’s foreign policy that warmed up ties with China by “setting aside” the July 2016 arbitral ruling and dismissing it as a mere piece of paper. And in pursuing the gains of what the world acclaims as a legal victory for the Philippines, Marcos was perceived to be pro-US and criticized for allowing the Philippines to be a “pawn” in the imminent US-China war for regional hegemony.

National interest

Filipinos have been so politically divided and adversarial — labeling each other pro-China or proAmerica — with the concept of what constitutes national interest blurred.

When we invoke our sovereign rights and maritime entitlements in our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is conferred by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), that is neither pro-US nor anti-China, that is advancing national interest, which is recognized by international law.

When we choose which country we will deal with to exploit the maritime resources within our EEZ, that is well within our rights as a nation. The Unclos vested sovereign rights in us to explore and exploit, conserve and manage the natural resources in it. That may offend China, but that is promoting our national interest.

When we resolved to replace our troops in BRP Sierra Madre (LT 57) and supply them with food, water, medicines and other sustenance needs, it is not to provoke China into water-cannoning, pointing military-grade lasers at and ramming our vessels with their coast guard ships. That may displease China, but should we renege on our obligation to sustain our troops? Bringing in materials for the ship’s repair and upkeep is incumbent upon the Philippine Navy because LT 57 is a ship in active service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Someone may call it “stupidity,” but we refer to it as a “call of duty.”

When we decided to halt further negotiations with China over a draft framework for oil and gas explorations in our EEZ because it contains conditions inimical and disadvantageous to the Philippines’ interest, it is not infidelity toward a prospective partner but compliance with the constitutional dictates of how the terms of all contracts and agreements be drafted.

When we pursued to assist our fishermen and escort them with vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Philippine Coast Guard so they can continue their livelihood in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), that is not picking a fight with China. That is fulfilling the government’s mandate to assist and protect our citizens in the area where the arbitral tribunal declares a traditional fishing ground for all.

But there is nothing more deplorable and shameful than Filipinos who, intentionally or not, serve the interest of a rogue nation that has no regard for international law, shuns a rules-based approach in resolving differences with another sovereign nation, and deals with its neighbors through the barrels of naval guns.

Let private individuals and government officials be damned for conspiring in the extraction of black sand ore (magnetite) in our coastal provinces, 100 percent of which is exported to China. The same material is a component in building ships and arms used to attack our fishermen and resupply vessels.

Let those local government officials be prosecuted and administratively charged for nonfeasance if found liable for allowing illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations to be made venues for illegal drug operations, human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping and other heinous crimes.

Trojan horses?

Individuals and government officials should be held to account for the reported “sudden influx of thousands of Chinese [citizens] in the province in the guise of students.” An investigation has been called by Rep. Joseph Lara of Cagayan since national security is threatened over the students’ “very unusual x x x activities (that) are highly suspicious and alarming.”

We should be as wary as when Sen. Nancy Binay reported the issuance of Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV) to Chinese citizens of “soldier age” (i.e., at least 35 years old in 1991 and raised to 50 in 2021), currently numbering 78,000 retirees — 30,000 of them Chinese “retirees” who are allowed permanent residence in the Philippines.

Government intelligence and security agencies are yet to publish official reports on the alleged presence of a large group of Chinese in a village in Parañaque City.

Mainland Chinese were able to secure membership in the PCG Auxiliary. While its officials confirmed the report, they said they had stopped the practice, and no national security matters were compromised.

We should be wary of Sun Tzu, whose lessons on military tactics and strategy still apply today. He said: “The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy itself.”

Lest we forget, it was the little-known Januario Galut who led the team of American soldiers into a secret passage at the back of Tirad Pass. He caused the defeat of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar and the 60 gallant men under his command.

It is a sad plight, but we have to rid the nation of enemies within.